diff --git a/test/test_puma_server_ssl.rb b/test/test_puma_server_ssl.rb
index 1329a1d969..dc5f02254d 100644
--- a/test/test_puma_server_ssl.rb
+++ b/test/test_puma_server_ssl.rb
@@ -94,7 +94,8 @@ def test_request_wont_block_thread
     ctx = OpenSSL::SSL::SSLContext.new
     ctx.verify_mode = OpenSSL::SSL::VERIFY_NONE
     socket = OpenSSL::SSL::SSLSocket.new TCPSocket.new(@host, @port), ctx
-    socket.write "x"
+    socket.connect
+    socket.write "HEAD"
     sleep 0.1
 
     # Capture the amount of threads being used after connecting and being idle